BACCHUS

This little body was discovered by Charles Kowal a
few months prior to his discovery of Chiron. In Roman mythology Bacchus was
the god of wine and merriment, very similar to the Greek godDionysus. He was
no respecter of laws, or customs, and upset everything that was in his way.
(There is a minor planet by that name too, although I haven't had time to
study it yet.) Festivals and celebrations were held in his honor, most notably
the Bacchanalia. This revelry was filled with wild, impassioned drinking and
debauchery. He was worshipped as one of the supreme gods.

In many ways, he was the opposite of Apollo. Apollo was tranquil, Bacchus
was mad. Apollo was dignified, majestic and removed; Bacchus was friend of the
common man, the slave and the outcast. Perhaps Bacchus and Apollo should be
studied together to get a clearer picture?

Astrologically Bacchus does seem to tie into the myth. Many of the people I
have seen who have very close Jupiter/Bacchus squares go on serious drinking
binges. When it is conjunct a planet, or close to an angle, the person seems
to gravitate toward a religion which includes impassioned involvement. There
is also a joy at finding ways to express the self uninhibitedly. (Of course,
if the rest of the chart shows a lot of blocks and inhibitions, the person may
rarely allow this side to come out, yet a longing still exists.)

There is another side to Bacchus, though. I have also found it prominent in
the charts of a number of truly artistic individuals who get totally immersed
in their work. These people seem to become one with the creative process,
losing themselves and the world while they are painting, composing or
whatever.

By transit it frequently shows an opportunity to experience great emotional
heights, as well as depths. If occurring along with other transits, one
remembers this time because of the intense feelings that were produced.